Nets Ready for Take Two Opener

Friday, the Brooklyn Nets again took the floor at Barclays Center, where they practiced ahead of Saturday's 7:30 p.m. season opener against the Toronto Raptors. Despite having to readjust their focus on Toronto, the team was ready to get into game action, save for Josh Childress, who will be out with a sore left ankle and remains day-to-day.

Coach Avery Johnson said that the Raptors are "absolutely" improved, calling the frontcourt combo of Andrea Bargnani and rookie Jonas Valanciunas "a handful." He always praised point guard Kyle Lowry, calling the Philadelphia native a "gamer" who's tough and fun to watch.